# What is SBA Export Express and who qualifies?

**Short answer:** Export Express is a 7(a) loan or line of up to $500,000 for export development (SOP 50 10 8.1, Sec. B, Ch. 5, Para. A). You need at least 12 full months in operation, unless the key personnel have demonstrated export expertise and the lender underwrites conventionally.

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Last checked: 2026-11-08

Export Express is a 7(a) loan or line of credit of up to $500,000. It serves businesses developing the export side of their operations (SOP 50 10 8.1, Sec. B, Ch. 5, Para. A). It uses many of the streamlined features of SBA Express, with a higher guaranty.

## Who qualifies

You must meet SBA's core eligibility rules. You also need at least 12 full months in operation, unless the key personnel have demonstrated export expertise and the lender underwrites conventionally (Para. A.1). The time does not have to be spent exporting. NAICS 721 (accommodation) and 457 (gas stations) cannot use it (Para. A.2).

## What the loan must fund

An export development activity, such as:

- Translating product brochures or catalogues for foreign markets.
- A general line of credit for export purposes.
- Performing a service contract for buyers outside the United States.
- Transaction-specific financing for export orders.
- Building or expanding a U.S. production facility for export goods or services.

## What you give the lender

- Estimated total export sales the loan will support.
- A brief description of the product or service.
- How the loan will open or expand an export market.
- The countries you will export to.
- Estimated export sales for the next 12 months (Para. A.1.e).

On specific export transactions, the lender must check Ex-Im Bank's Country Limitation Schedule and the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctions lists (Para. A.1.d).

## Sources

- [SOP 50 10 8.1, Sec. B, Ch. 5, Para. A (p. 168)](https://legacy.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2026-10/SOP%2050%2010%208.1%20Technical%20Policy%20Updates%20effective%20%2010.1.2026.docx)
- [SBA, Terms, conditions and eligibility for 7(a) lenders, sba.gov/sba-lenders (read November 8, 2026)](https://www.sba.gov/sba-lenders)